Folding rigid inflatable boat system and method

ABSTRACT

A combination inflatable ring, locking bar, hydroplane shield, to convert ordinary folding boats into a folding rigid inflatable boat, with improved safety, stability, load capacity, and improved performance.

[0001] This invention relates to recreational devices, specifically it relates to a system to be used on rigid folding boats.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For several decades, those in boating have desired a small, compact boat that can be easily hauled to various locations, unfolded, and launched, and yet still provide sufficient support and security in the water. Such combinations include a “folding boat and trailer” to Johanson U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,805. A “folding boat construction and means for mounting same to a carrier” to Johanson U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,202, and a “folding boat with detachable wheels” to Evans, U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,733. While those have approached the ideals and goals of the present invention, they have still fallen short in providing a suitable answer to the need. Especially desirable has been the additional utility of providing a devise to improve stability and safety.

[0003] One of the present inventors has improved upon these systems as shown in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/110,069, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,465, appended hereto and hereby incorporated by reference. In spite of this improvement, the present invention goes beyond those mentioned above and others and provides a unique system, which securely holds the boat in an open position and enhances flotation and performance on the water.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a unique system for securing folding boats in an open position improving safety, stability, performance, and load capacity.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1. Shows a folded boat with inflatable device enclosed and planing shield in back open position.

[0006]FIG. 2. Shows a folding boat partially opened with planing device and inflatable stored inside.

[0007]FIG. 3. Shows a folding boat in the opened position hydroplane shield in position, inflatable to outside position with locking bar installed.

[0008]FIG. 4. Shows the improved system with an inflatable ring device and locking bar incorporated from an end view.

[0009]FIG. 5. Shows the improved system with an inflatable ring device and locking bar incorporated from a top view.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A combination inflatable system and devices to improve safety, stability, load capacity, performance of folding boats.

[0011]FIG. 1. Shows a folded boat with a hydroplane shield depicted. The hydroplane shield actually protects the two adjoining hulls from water pressure when in motion, allowing a boat to achieve greater performance on plane.

[0012]FIG. 2. Shows the side view of a folding boat partially opened to exhibit the ability to hinge in or outside of a folding boat.

[0013]FIG. 3. Shows a folding boat in an opened side view position using (A) snap rings, connectors etc. to attach bottom section of inflatable to the hull parts. (B) Inflatable ring device can be hinged to outside of hull by means of any method of hinging of any means dictated by shape design, length, width, etc. (C) locking bar can be used in a combination with inflatable ring assisting in locking in the opened position secured in place by any locking device (i.e.) bolt, nuts, screws, slides, etc. This locking bar can be installed inside, outside, or top side of hull.

[0014] element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicity broad coverage that which this invention is entitled. Regarding this last aspect, as an example, the disclosure of a “hinge” should be understood to encompass discover of the act of “hinging”—whether explicity discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “hinging”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “hinge.” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicity included in the description.

[0015] It is simply not practical to describe in the claims all the possible embodiments to the present invention which may be accomplished generally in keeping with the goals and objects of the present invention and this disclosure and which may include separately or collectively such aspects as tapering and other aspects of the present invention. While these may be added to explicity include such details, the existing claims should be construed to encompass such aspects. To the extent the methods claimed in the invention are not further discussed, they are natural outgrowths of the system of apparatus claims. Therefore, separate and further discussion of the methods is deemed unnecessary as they otherwise claim steps that are implicit in the use and manufacture of the system or the apparatus claims. Furthermore, the steps are organized in a more logical fashion; however, other sequences can and do occur. Therefore, the method claims should not be construes to include only the order of the sequence and steps presented.

[0016] The discussion included in this invention utility application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternatives or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the devise described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the function the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims, which will be included in a full patent application.

[0017] As mentioned earlier, this invention can be embodied in a variety of ways. In addition, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, and ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereeinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, and x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the element disclosed. Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “compromise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. 

1. Folding Rigid Inflatable Boat System And Method (A) Inflatable ring can be hinged inside or outside hull. 2, Hydroplane shield for folding boats (a) an extention of hull to overlap connecting hulls.
 3. Locking bar for folding boats (B) Rigid device to lock into position stabilizing two adjoining hulls into open position.
 4. Combination method and system utilizing claims 1,2,3 above. 